EPA Continues to Promote Lean Six Sigma for Sustainability

Most people associate Lean Six Sigma with continuous process improvement and the drive to make better products and increase profits. But the methodology’s focus on cutting waste and reducing process errors can also help create and manage effective sustainability efforts.

It’s a point the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been making for decades. The EPA recently updated its Environmental Professional’s Guide to Lean and Six Sigma, noting that while progress has been made over the years by businesses, there’s plenty of room for improvement when it comes to private industry protecting the environment.

The EPA noted that there is significant opportunity for improvements in the environmental footprint of production processes, products and services. They add that given the benefits of environmental initiatives “one might expect that it would be easy to get companies to implement more environmental efforts. Typically, however, these initiatives have a difficult time competing in the corporate culture.”

Professionals who have earned certification in Lean Six Sigma can be key players in changing that situation. It’s what many refer to as “green Lean Six Sigma.”

Green Lean Six Sigma Can Help Make Environmental Efforts a Priority

One of the misconceptions many people have is that if more people become educated about the role of businesses in creating environmental hazards, the higher the chances that executives will act. However, that has not always been the case.  

The EPA uses the example of the Dow chemical manufacturing plant in Midland, Mich. The internal operations at that plant, which polluted the surrounding area’s waterways, have been studied. The EPA guide reports that education on environmental issues was not the barrier to taking steps to curb pollution at the plant. Rather, it was competition for “capital and management time and attention.” They sum up the problem this way: 

“A positive return on investment is not always sufficient - capital projects must clear internal hurdles that weigh the value of each alternative when using limited capital. Even small projects that require limited or no capital investment must compete for limited organizational time and attention. As a result, many promising ideas - environmental and other - end up on the cutting room floor because they are not viewed as central to business success.”

The lack of action not only resulted in polluting the environment, but also cost the company (and taxpayers) millions of dollars. The EPA proposed a $5.4 million settlement with Dow in 2023, and the cleanup efforts continue in the area.

Getting executive buy-in has long been a key part of implementing Lean Six Sigma practices. It isn’t always easy. But those trained in Lean and Six Sigma have a better chance, as they know management buy-in is key to improving processes and outcomes.

Ways Lean Six Sigma Can Help Improvement Sustainability Efforts

A study published in Frontiers in Environmental Science found that Lean Six Sigma can make a significant difference in driving sustainability efforts at businesses. The combination of implementing Lean Six Sigma initiatives, combined with data-driven decision-making and nurturing a positive company culture toward sustainability, enhances environmental performance in the manufacturing industry.

The researchers conclude that Lean Six Sigma has the potential to become a “cornerstone of sustainable manufacturing practices.” This can happen for a variety of reasons. The EPA lists several advantages businesses have in creating, implementing and (most importantly) sustaining “green” practices when they use Lean Six Sigma.

Topping the list is “fast and dramatic results.” Through the use of Kaizen events, Lean Six Sigma practitioners can quickly identify problem areas and implement solutions. Companies also see quick environmental results, which can drive them to continue spending time and resources on sustainability issues.

Lean Six Sigma is also key to improving company culture by giving management and employees the tools they need to address waste and inefficiencies. The EPA specifically mentions tools such as value stream mapping and 5S. 

While Lean Six Sigma can rapidly make improvements for companies, it’s also key to have environmental professionals involved to ensure any changes in operations meet rigorous environmental standards. That’s why environmental professionals who train themselves in Lean Six Sigma have become attractive job candidates for many companies.

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